The Progressive Animal Welfare Society (PAWS) acquired a mother cat and her five polydactyl kittens earlier this month. They all inherited a benign genetic condition called radial hypoplasia, which resulted in the shortness and clubfoot of their forelimbs at birth.
After seeing the cat family at the shelter, Ashley Morrison, a PAWS volunteer, fell in love with them. The mother, a coal-black beauty, came straight up to her and greeted her as if she were prepared to accompany the woman wherever she went with the kids.
Ashley just desired a little respite from her charity work, though. But when these adorable kitties sprung into her life, she was powerless to refuse them.
“They all have extra fingers, including mom. Some children even have six-toed hind legs,” says Ashley. “They don’t seem to be bothered by anything. They frolic as any kittens would frolic.
There are 4 boys (Ru, Skippy, Joey, Marsupial Adams) and one girl (Marilyn MonRu) in the family. Mom’s name is Kanga.
They quickly settled into the foster home. Kanga appreciated the comfort of home and thoroughly studied the new abode, while the kids jumped high and noisily around the room.
Pocket Adams (you can just Pochi, from the English pouch – pocket) is the main shorty in the brood. He is the smallest, but he has the sweetest personality.
The gang’s leader is Skippy. He is a courageous hero who cannot fathom living without attention.
He likes to leap up and kick someone with his massive rear legs, which is his characteristic move.
The kittens were excited beyond belief. They always embrace on a big shared bed after playing outside.
Ashley explains that in their drive to act irrationally and wildly, “they are like all the cats in the world.” But when they face off against each other while standing on their hind legs, it appears from the outside that a boxing battle is about to start.
Mother of Kang and her little Roo. They make up Kangaroo as a unit.
The kittens feel great and jump happily on their big, strong paws.
In a few weeks they will be ready for adoption .
They are unaware of their specialness and enjoy playing like any other kitten, according to Ashley.
“Their long-term owners will be free to choose for themselves what they believe is the best course of action for each young animal. Even Nevertheless, a lot of cats with radial hypoplasia lead fulfilling lives without it.
Kanga’s mom is tired of motherhood and is ready to retire early – it’s better for everyone. She enjoys spending time in the circle of human friends and is happy to transfer her direct duties to them.
“She climbs higher so that the kittens can’t get to her and only comes down to feed them.”
Little kangaroos thrive under the care of their guardians and win over anyone who gets to know them better.
